'United Utilities workers offer to come and clean up, and have told me what the problem is, but no-one is coming up with a solution,' added Mrs Quinn.

She suggests the family has their own holding tank, but United Utilities says it will cost too much to install.

'They have put cameras down the drains, and found tree roots blocking it. But removing them did not improve the situation.'

Kelsall parish councillor Ann Lacey has taken up the family's fight.

She said: 'One time the sewage was 4-6in deep and the Quinns were wading in it. They were fighting a rising tide.

'They have been flooded inside and out for the last 20 years. How come they have paid their sewer rates for 20 years and yet are still shovelling it up when it floods their home?

A spokesman for United Utilities said: 'We sympathise with Mrs Quinn but resolving this issue is not a simple matter.

'There are 1,300 homnes affected this way across the North West and we have £29 million to target 700 of them in the next few years, with the highest priority homes first. Mrs Quinn is not classed as a high priority.

'The remaining 600 homes will be looked at after wards. We try to alleviate the situation as best we can, and will continue to clean up.'